Constitutional Review: C'River, Rivers Support Establishment of State Police, LG Autonomy
The Cross River and Rivers State Governments have expressed support for the establishment of state police, local government autonomy, and the creation of new states in the ongoing constitution review.
This was made known during a public hearing on constitutional review process held in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, emphasized the need for inclusive governance, saying “Let this hearing be a true platform for civic expression… one that upholds the fundamental democratic principle that government derives its legitimacy not from the consent of government, but from the people that they govern.”
Both states backed key reform demands, including the inclusion of women and people living with disabilities in governance, state policing, and state creation. The representative of Rivers State, Mrs Vera Sam-Dike, noted that “We support resource control. We are here because it will promote inclusiveness, peace, happiness, unity, and economic growth in Nigeria.”
The representative highlighted the urgent need for state policing, citing the worsening national security situation.
“The security situation in the nation is, for us, becoming a bit overwhelming for the security apparatus we have now. State policing will help a lot in curbing the security issues, because states understand their territories better than outsiders,” she said.
Both states stressed the importance of implementing constitutional changes to build a more robust, inclusive, and prosperous society. “By adopting our recommendations, Nigeria can build a more robust, inclusive, and prosperous society for all citizens. When we are happy, a lot of issues will be solved,” the Rivers representative concluded.
The public hearing marked a significant step towards a more inclusive and equitable constitution. The support from Cross River and Rivers States for state police, local government autonomy, and creation of new states is a crucial step towards addressing the country’s challenges and promoting national development.
The outcome of the constitutional review process will determine the future of Nigeria’s governance structure. It is essential to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders and work towards creating a Constitution that truly belongs to all Nigerians.
The proposed reforms aim to promote inclusivity, equity, and national development. By adopting these reforms, Nigeria can take a significant step towards building a more robust and prosperous society for all citizens.
